Patent GB-814334-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for subdividing sheet material into pieces
Inventor: JR AUGUSTUS YOUNG NOOJIN
IPC: B26F1/00
Filed: 1956-11-30
Abstract: 814,334. Cutting-out presses. CLUETT, PEABODY & CO. Inc. Nov. 30, 1956, No. 36780/56. Class 31 (1): A method of die-cutting sheet material, such as fabric, into pieces, comprises spreading the material in a plurality of superposed layers, arranging a plurality of separate cutting dies on the upper surface of the layers, moving the layers and dies together by linear movement into a position over a stamping abutment 21, forcing the dies through the layers while over the abutment to cut the layers into superposed pieces, and removing the dies and placing them on an uncut part of the layers which is then moved over the stamping abutment and cut into pieces. The dies are arranged, in some cases with the aid of a template, on the material which is spread in superposed layers over a cutting-board consisting of a fibreboard layer 36 on a base sheet 35 of linoleum or either of such layers on the upper run of an endless conveyer belt 6. The conveyer is aligned in end-to-end relationship with a second recessing conveyer but with a space between for the stamping abutment 21 of a press which is carried on a carriage arranged to be moved by an electric motor on rails 4 disposed transversely to the conveyers. More than one pair of conveyers may be employed and be arranged parallel to the first pair so that after the material on one conveyer has been cut, the press is moved on the rails to operate on material that has been prepared on the other conveyers. A platen 22 of the press is slidable on vertical guides 23 connected together by a crosshead 24, and is operable by a piston 25 co-operating with a double-acting cylinder 26 which is hydraulically actuated by a pump 32 driven by an electric motor 28. The pump may be of the variable delivery or reversible type, or a reversible valve may be employed to supply fluid alternately to the ends of the cylinder 26. When the conveyers are operated, the part of the layers on which the dies are placed is carried on to the stamping abutment 21. The pump is operated to cause the platen to descend and force the dies through the layers until they abut the board 35, whereupon the platen returns automatically to its upward position. The dies are then removed and placed on the next uncut portion of the layers and the conveyers operated to move this portion with the dies on to the stamping abutment, and to carry the cut portions on to the other conveyer of the pair to be numbered and tied into bundles. This cycle is repeated until all the material on the feeding conveyer has been cut. A further conveyer 37, disposed transversely along the ends of the receiving conveyers, on which the bundling is performed, is arranged to carry the bundles to a storage bin. Each conveyer belt runs over end drums 7, rollers 9, 12, 13 and a tensioning drum 10, and is belt-driven through a speed-reduction mechanism 16 by an electric motor 14. The fluid for the pump is carried in a tank 27 which may be fitted with an electric cooler to prevent overheating of the oil. Current for the electric motors on the carriage is supplied by overhead cables co-operating with arms carried on the car. The material may be spread on the conveyer by passing a carrier with a supply of the material back and forth above the conveyer.